‘I would like to think that they arrived safely.’

‘But then the question arises: If Rotor is safe at the Neighbor Star, what is it doing there?’

‘Existing.’ (It was halfway between a statement and a question.)

‘But how? Circling the Neighbor Star? A single Settlement on an endless, lonely journey about a red dwarf star? I don't think so. They would wither, and it would not take them long to realize that. I am sure they would wither fast.’

‘And die? Is that your conclusion, Director?’

‘No. They would give up and come home. They would acknowledge defeat and come back to safety. However, they have not done so, and do you know what I've been thinking? I've been thinking they've found a habitable planet at the Neighbor Star.’

‘But there can't be a habitable planet circling a red dwarf star, Director. There's a shortage of energy, unless you get so close that there's too much tidal effect.’ He paused and muttered, shamefaced, ‘Dr Wendel explained that to me.’

‘Yes, astronomers have explained it to me, too. But’ - he shook his head - ‘experience has taught me that no matter how sure scientists think they are, nature has a way of surprising them. Anyway, do you understand why we are letting you go on this voyage?’

‘Yes, Director. Your predecessor promised I would go in return for services rendered.’

‘I have a better reason than that. My predecessor, who was a great man, an admirable man, was also a sick old man at the end. His enemies thought that he had become paranoid. He believed Rotor knew of Earth's danger and had left without warning us because they wanted Earth destroyed, and that Rotor must therefore be punished. However, he is gone, and I am here. I am not old, or sick, or paranoid. Assuming Rotor is safe and is at the Neighbor Star, it is not our intention to harm them.’

‘I'm glad of that, but isn't this something you ought to discuss with Dr Wendel, Director? She is to be the captain of the ship.’

‘Dr Wendel is a Settler. You are a loyal Earthman.’

‘Dr Wendel has worked loyally for years on the superluminal project.’

‘That she has been loyal to the project is beyond question. But is she loyal to Earth? Can we count on her to carry out the letter and the spirit of Earth's intentions toward Rotor?’

‘May I ask, Director, just what Earth's intentions are toward Rotor? I take it that there is no longer the intention of punishing the Settlement for its failure to warn us.’

‘That is correct. What we want now is association, human brotherhood, only the kindliest of feelings. With friendship established, there must be a quick return with as much information as possible about Rotor and its planet.’

‘Surely if Dr Wendel is told this - if she has this explained to her - she will carry it out.’

Koropatsky chuckled. ‘One would think so, but you know how it is. She is a woman who is not in the first bloom of youth. A fine woman - I have no fault to find - but she is in her fifties.’

‘What of that?’ (Fisher found himself offended.)

‘She must know that when she comes back, with the vital experience of a successful superluminal flight, she will be more valuable to us than ever; that she will be needed to design newer, better, more advanced superluminal vessels; that she will have to train young people as superluminal pilots. She will be quite sure that she will never be allowed to venture out through hyper-space again, for she will simply be too valuable to risk. Therefore, before coming back, she may be tempted to explore further. She may not wish to abandon the thrill of seeing new stars and penetrating new horizons. But we cannot have her take one risk more than she must take to reach Rotor, gain the information, and return. We cannot afford the time lost either. Do you understand ?’ His voice had become hard.

Fisher swallowed. ‘Surely you have no real reason-’

‘I have every reason. Dr Wendel has always been in a delicate position here - as a Settler. You understand, I hope. Of all the people on Earth, she is the one we depend on most, and she is a Settler. She has had to be the subject of a detailed psychological profile. She has been extensively studied, with and without her knowledge, and we are quite certain that, given a chance, she will go off exploring. And she will be out of communication with us. We won't know where she is, what she is doing. We won't even know if she is alive.’

‘And why are you telling me all this, Director?’

‘Because we know you have a great influence over her. She can be guided by you - if you are firm.’

‘I think, perhaps, you overestimate my influence, Director.’

‘I am sure we don't. You, too, have been much studied, and we know exactly how bound the good doctor is to you - perhaps more than you yourself realize. We know, also, that you are a loyal son of Earth. You might have left with Rotor, stayed with your wife and daughter, but you returned to Earth at the cost of losing them. You did that, moreover, knowing that my predecessor, Director Tanayama, would consider you a failure for failing to bring information back concerning hyper-assistance, and that your career might well be ruined. That satisfies me that I can count on you to see to it that Dr Wendel is kept under firm control and is brought back to us quickly and that you will, this time - this time - bring back the information we need.’

‘I'll try, Director,’ said Fisher.

‘You say that dubiously,’ said Koropatsky. ‘Please understand the importance of what I am asking you to do. We must know just what they're doing, how strong they are, and what the planet is like. Once we know all that, we will know what we must do, and how strong we must be, and for what kind of a life we must be prepared. Because, Fisher, we must have a planet, and we must have it now. And we have no choice but to take Rotor's planet.’

‘If it exists,’ said Fisher hoarsely.

‘It had better exist,’ said Koropatsky. ‘Earth's survival depends upon it.’